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Video Transcript: Australia 101

Written By: ClassicWines.com Team on Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Brian Freedman: Welcome to the Classic Wines Minutes brought to you ClassicWines.com; I am your host Brian Freedman. Join me as we explore the world of wine with the Sommelier Instructors here at the Wine School of Philadelphia.

Today ClassicWines.com is at the Wine School of Philadelphia and we are joined by Maria Valetta, one of the School's Sommelier Instructors. Maria, thanks for joining us.

Maria Valetta: Thank you Brian.

Brian Freedman: We are here today to talk about Australian Wines which have become some of the most popular in the world. Now Maria what is about these wines that people love so much?

Maria Valetta: Well, they absolutely have been become so popular. Australia made a point to put themselves on the map as a wine producing country. They came together, they've got a successful marketing campaign, and they went forward with these wines that really appealed to new world wine drinkers.

Brian Freedman: Right. Now when you talk about new world wine drinkers, I think it's important to explain the distinction between the old world and the new world. What is this new world style that's embodied by Australian Wines these days?

Maria Valetta: Yes, the new world style is very bold, very fruit forward. It is big, actually often a little high in alcohol but soft in tannins. So very approachable, very drinkable, consumer friendly, and most important, accessible. Because of the marketing campaigns, you're able to get these wines anywhere.

Brian Freedman: Right. Now what's important though is that when you say they’re accessible, a lot of us seem to get -- well I don't want to say suckered into, but I'll say suckered into this idea of, if the label is cute, it will make me cool on my date or dinner party. Certainly, these kangaroo labels or I think I'd say koala bears or yeah Critter label wines. They're pretty to look at and some of them are perfectly drinkable, but the truth is there's a whole world of Australian wines out there that's really not being driven by this marketing machine. The trick is to really get into smaller regions of Australia. We were talking about them earlier. What are your favorites?

Maria Valetta: There's some to look for. The smaller sections of this area like Barossa Valley, like we have here or Victoria that's another one. And part of the matter is they’re now starting to produce other grapes like Grenache, like Chardonnay, like Cabernet.

Brian Freedman: Fabulous Rieslings.

Maria Valetta: This year we have, and notice, the screw cap.

Brian Freedman: Yeah. Maria is pouring a Torbreck from the Barossa Valley. This is Grenache Mataro and Shiraz. We'll talk further about the screw cap wine but suffice it to say, don't be turned off by it. If I could trade in all of the wines in my cellar that are sealed with a cork and replace with the screw cap or Stelvin closure if you're feeling pretentious. I absolutely would. It seems to be much more reliable, but we'll talk about that in future issue.

So Maria, thanks for joining us today. Cheers.

Maria Valetta: Explore those Australian Wines, they're very worth it. They're changing and they're evolving and they should not be missed.

Brian Freedman: No, absolutely not. From all of us here at ClassicWines.com and the Wine School of Philadelphia, we look forward to you joining us again. Cheers.

Maria Valetta: Cheers.

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